The fierce resistance against the idea of turning the Kasetsart tunnel–Ngamwongwan Road–Phong Phet Bridge into part of a double deck expressway should remind the Ministry of Transport to embrace public participation early when it comes to such projects rather than obsessing over the top-down decision-making process.

Newly installed Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is dealing with a hot potato from the Land Traffic Management Committee’s (LTMC) idea of converting the much-used public tunnel into a double deck expressway to be operated by a private concessionaire.

For almost two decades, the LTMC has been trying to develop expressway projects in Kasetsart without much success.

Regarding its latest effort, it was reported on Dec 1 the LTMC has held talks with a private concessionaire about developing such an expressway. To do so, the ministry would let the Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Co Ltd (BEM) merge a public tunnel with the planned double deck expressway. The LTMC also proposed the idea of collecting a 30-baht fee to use the underground section. In exchange, the private concessionaire would cap inner-city tolls at 50 baht, down from 90 baht.

Despite the idea sounding good on paper, it begs many questions.

The Expressway Authority of Thailand Labour Union has submitted a petition to the Senate asking it to launch a probe. The union accused the LTMC of trying to extend the private concession for another 22 years and five months, without opening a new bidding process. Such an agreement might violate the Public–Private Partnership Act.

Above all, the union has questioned the necessity of the project, citing insufficient consultation with affected communities.

And it’s not only the union raising objections. Structural engineering expert Suchatvee Suwansawat, leader of the newly established Thaikaomai Party (New Step Thailand), has warned about potential public safety issues as the current tunnel is not designed to serve as an underground expressway.

Samart Ratchapolsitte, a former deputy governor of Bangkok for public works and traffic and transport, and consumer activist Saree Ongsomwang have also urged the government to consider other options such as building a bigger mass transit system instead.

The question is whether the LTMC is taking these remarks into consideration. Or will the agency just go ahead and push the project forward, no matter what?

It is good news to hear Mr Phiphat requires answers to such questions.

First, Mr Phiphat and the LTMC need to clear the air about the status of this project. At first, the LTMC was in talks with a private concessionaire and was "giving the green light" to the idea.

However, in the wake of such heavy criticism, the agency and Transport Ministry abruptly changed tone, describing it as only being at the stage of a "feasibility study".

A proposal to build a monorail (the Brown Line) has been mooted for that area. It would provide seamless connectivity with existing electric train lines, cutting congestion and pollution.

Bangkok is too small to expand roads and expressways. Yet it has more room to expand mass transit systems. The government just needs to embrace the reality and move into the future.